My Continuing Journey Into the Kitchen…

My Cooking Classes

Below is a sampling of the wide variety of classes I teach. If you’d like to schedule one of these classes, or if there is something else you’d like to learn that you don’t see here, please feel free to email me.

Artisanal Bread From Your Own Oven
Nothing beats the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven. In this class I teach you all the tricks you need to know to make fresh breads at home from quick leavened breads to delicious sourdoughs from scratch, and yes, we will work on the perfect baguette as well! This is a must-have skill set for any serious cook, or anyone who just wants to serve the very best breads.

Bachelor Cooking 101 (How to Win Her Over with Dinner)
This is a step ahead of just survival skills. This class will help you impress that special someone for any occasion with a meal that will inspire romance and adoration.

Bread and Soup – The Perfect Comfort Foods
There’s nothing better than a meal of a warm bowl of soup accompanied by a fresh, hot loaf of bread. Learn the basics of making both of these.

British Sunday Roast
A wonderful Sunday tradition in England, the meal is a great reason for family to get together once a week and enjoy a large roast and a series of delicious sides. And of course there’s Yorkshire Pudding and real homemade gravy!

Caribbean Dream
Be transported to the islands for a night of seafood, tropical fruit and bright, bold flavors. And best of all, these dishes are great ones to learn for formal company or for just hanging out with your friends with a couple of Pina Coladas!

Chicken 101
All too often, cooking chicken means relying on buying pre-butchered, pre-portioned, pre-breaded reconstituted nuggets. Isn’t it time to buy a whole bird, and learn how to work with that? Learn how to save money by buying a whole chicken, and then how to use every part of the bird to come up with a series of fabulous dishes.

Comforting Chilis and Stews
Chilis and stews can warm you throughout your body on a cold winter night, and have some of the most satisfying and complex flavors in the whole culinary world. In this class, learn the tricks of proper stewing, as well as some of the more interesting flavors that can be used in these dishes.

Coming Out of Your Shell – Cooking with Shellfish
The incredible versatility of shellfish is truly a culinary marvel. There is so much that can be done with these flavorful marine animals, but all to often, all we end up doing is just steaming them. In this class you’ll learn a series of awesome preparations for shellfish that will astound all who enjoy them.

Cooking with Beer
People are finally recognizing that beer is so much more than just a cold drink on a hot summer’s day. Beer can be used in a wide range of recipes with you from meat marinades, to vegetable preparations, to even desserts that make use of this awesome beverage.

Cooking with Tea
The value of tea through the ages as a drink, commodity and ceremonial centerpiece cannot be overstated. And now, many people are rediscovering tea for it’s many health benefits. But too often, all we do is simply put tea in hot water and drink it. But there is so much more we can do with it! In this class, we’ll learn how to use tea in our cooking to create a wide variety of dishes – both sweet and savory – that will be worth more to you than all the tea in… well, you know.

Cupcakes and Wine Pairing
So very popular with the ladies! Cupcakes aren’t just for kids anymore, and this is where I show off some of my baking skills, and we all get to enjoy the results with some amazing wines as well.

The Cutting Edge – Knife Skills for Beginners
A class that everyone who’s serious about cooking needs to take at one time or another. Learn about knife handling, care, sharpening and purchasing. And of course, how to cut your foods cleanly, effectively, and most of all, safely.

Delicious Donuts
Donuts, Doughnuts, Do-Nuts… no matter how you spell them, they are always delicious! And while there are many delicious options to choose from in the bakeries around the city, there’s nothing quite as wonderful as a fresh, hot, homemade donut! Learn the tricks behind both raised and cake donuts, and dig in to your very box of assorted delicious donuts!

Dining in the Vines – A Napa Valley Lunch
What better way to spend a summertime afternoon than winding your way through the vines and vineyards of Napa and Sonoma? Well, since those places are thousands of miles away and could cost a small fortune to enjoy, I’m bringing the experience to you with this straight-from-California menu.

Eggs 101
Learn about one of the staples of the kitchen, and the many ways eggs can be cooked and used for a variety of culinary applications, like Omelets, Souffles, Soft-boiled vs. Hard-boiled eggs, Perfect Fried Eggs, Poached Eggs, Hollandaise Sauce and Mayonnaise.

Essence of New Orleans
Is there a city in America with a richer culinary tradition than The Big Easy? Creole and Cajun, Gumbo and Etouffee, high-end restaurants and bayou dives – it all comes together in a mixing pot of cooking styles that can’t be topped. Learn the differences in the different cuisines, and of course many of the recipes that will make you feel like you’re in the land of Mardi Gras.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes – Italian Christmas Eve
It’s more of an Italian-American tradition actually to make seven fish dishes on Christmas Eve to await the arrival of the baby Jesus, but no matter where it’s from, it’s a fabulous reason to get together with family and enjoy a huge seafood dinner together!

French Farmhouse Dinner
You don’t have to have a formal dinner party to cook great French food and share it with friends! Taking inspiration from the French country side gives us a meal that can be relaxed as well as elegant, and is the perfect way to share some time and fun with family and friends. Paired with the right wines, this menu can be a fabulous exploration of the Rhone River Valley.

Gnocchi Workshop
When gnocchi are done right, they are just one of the most fabulous first courses imaginable. I’ll teach you the secrets to getting gnocchi just right in a variety of styles, as well as some sauces that will leave your guests begging for more.

Gondolas with Gusto – The Cuisine of Venice
Celebrate the Venice Carnival as you learn the secrets of cooking from one of Italy’s most romantic cities. Venice’s flavors come from around the world, but the feeling you get from the meal makes you feel completely at home.

Handmade Pasta Made Easy
Arguably my most popular class! Once you learn how much better homemade pasta is than store bought, and how easy it is to make… well, you may never go back!

Italian Cooking With No Tomatoes – Can It Be Done?…
It’s too easy to fall into the rut of cooking where all you do with Italian is add tomatoes and garlic and call it a day. This class will open your eyes to so much more classical Italian cooking that doesn’t rely on tomatoes to make it taste authentic.

It’s All Greek to Me
Romantic and gorgeous, the Greek Isles are a land of tranquil beauty and amazing cooking. Come learn the secrets of the flavors of this land of olives, spinach and wine.

It’s How You Play the Game – Cooking with Game Meats
A chance to learn some of the tricks of the professionals when it comes to cooking game meat. From where to purchase these meats to how to avoid making them taste too “gamey,” this class will expand the culinary repertoire of foodies of all experience levels.

A Left Turn at Albuquerque – Cooking of The Southwest
Bugs Bunny was always lamenting that he should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque. Actually, he should have stopped and enjoyed the great cuisine of the southwest while he was there! This is your chance to learn what he missed out on.

Lunch on the Amalfi Coast
Take a visit to the romantic Amalfi coast – a wonderful area of the Italian coast that is not only beautiful to look at and visit, but also wonderful to dine in. In this class, we’ll make and then enjoy a lunch as if we were looking out on Capri.

Mushrooms 101
Learn all about the wonderful world of mushrooms. From how to select the right kinds, to which flavors and textures you will find in different varietals, this class is a great jumping off point on how to buy, store and of course cook all kinds of excellent mushrooms.

Northern Italian Cooking – Risotto and Polenta
This is the class that started it all! Even though my family traces its roots back to central Italy, I love cooking the food of the Northern States. Creamy risottos and versatile polentas are the staple of so many wonderful Italian dishes, and I also teach other Northern Italian classics like pesto and tiramisu!

“Thanks so much for letting me be your student, Chef Matt! You’re a great instructor: very enthusiastic about food, provided helpful hints and kept the students engaged. I enjoyed the class, and it was a lot of fun!”

Out From Under the Tuscan Sun
There is almost no region of Italy that elicits more romantic feelings than the countryside of Tuscany. In this class, I’ll show you how to make a traditional Tuscan meal from start to finish with which to wow your friends, or to enjoy on a relaxing weekend afternoon while you feel a warm breeze pass over you on your patio while enjoying a lovely glass of vino.

Paella Workshop
Traditional style paellas without having to spend all day in the kitchen, or your entire salary on special equipment. This class is great for large groups of friends, as it creates a lot of food! And if you ask nice, maybe you can learn sangria while you’re at it!

The Peak of Summer’s Bounty
Enjoy the harvest at its best. Put together a great summer meal using the best that the farmers market has to offer, and learn more about what is at its best at this time of year, and how to cook with these great summer ingredients.

“I thought it was great – Chef Matt was very knowledgeable and fun, and the food actually turned out great!”

Phabulous Phyllo
No one food seems to be more feared than phyllo. “Ohh, phyllo! That’s too tough for me to work with!” is all I ever hear. And to that, all I can say is, “No, it really isn’t!” In this class, I’ll teach you all the ins and outs of working with phyllo, and tons of different sweet and savory creations you can make at home with this wonderful, flaky pastry.

Pizza Night, Every Night!
Learn the secrets of a fabulous crust to all sorts of special toppings. You’ll be able to make wonderful pizzas at home any night you like after taking this class. And yes, I’ll even teach you how to throw the crusts like a pro! You may never call for delivery pizza again!

Pumpkins Galore – A Halloween Feast
Pumpkins aren’t just for carving! Create a Halloween (or any time in fall) Feast and learn how this versatile squash can be used in stews, pastas and desserts.

Roman Holiday – Classic Cuisine from the Eternal City
The cuisine of Rome is some of the most authentic, honest and soul-satisfying that you can find anywhere in the country. Learn to master some of the most iconic dishes from this eternal city of churches, fountains and fabulous food!

The Romance of the Oyster
There is more to these wonderful little bivalves than just downing them raw with cocktail sauce! Learn about different varieties of oysters, the best time to get them, and several different ways to prepare these fabled aphrodisiacs. From shucking to cooking, and yes, we’ll even have some raw ones — this class is a great intro to oysters!

Seafood Demystified
So many cooks feel like they can conquer almost anything in the kitchen – so long as it’s not fish. But in this class, I’ll help to demystify some of the greatest fish dishes, showing you how simply you can prepare seafood in a variety of styles. Learn the tricks and tips that will make you confident in your next seafood cooking adventure.

September in Sevilla – The Tapas of Southern Spain
Learn the secrets of these little bites of Spain as you make a meal to enjoy and share with others!

Souffles – Everything You Need to Know
Often thought of as the pinnacle of cooking, a great souffle is delicate, delectable and delicious. By the end of this class though, you’ll know how to make souffles like a pro!

Southern Cooking Done Right
The cooking of the South is as varied as the many people living there. To encompass the whole tradition in one class would be impossible, but I can cover a wide range of southern favorites that are sure to please your palette.

Summer Entertaining
Make the meals that make summer so great. Learn how to put together a meal that you can make for your family, great friends, or as an entertaining gathering for a huge crowd. It’s sure to be a hit with everyone, and will become part of your summer culinary traditions!

Sustainable Seafood
Delicious fish dishes coupled with a good conscience. If you want to include more seafood in your diet, but want to know how to be good to the oceans at the same time, this is the class to take!

Talking Turkey – A Meze to Remember
The meal of many small plates, be it Tapas, or Meze, or a Tasting Menu, has always intrigued me as a great way to share an experience with family and friends, as well as a chance to sample so much of what a local cuisine has to offer. In this class, I offer up a series of wonderful traditional Turkish dishes for you to experience, share and enjoy.

Thanksgiving Dinner – Are You Ready?…
You want to impress the crowd, but you’re worried about some of your skills. I’d be happy to teach you all the elements of how to make some Thanksgiving specialties, so your family gathering will go off perfectly. Well, the food will anyway…

Tomatoes 101
Tomatoes are one of the favorite fruits of summer, and in this class you’ll learn how to do so much more with them than just throwing them on a tossed salad. Learn how to make soups, sauces and even how to pickle them for future storage and year-round enjoyment!

A Wonderful Magical Animal – The Many Ways to Cook a Pig
It takes a certain kind of chef to put together a class like this, I’m that guy. I’ve been cooking and loving the wide variety of meats that are available from pigs for so many years now that I actually has a tattoo of a pig on my shoulder (which I’ll gladly show you if you’d like). Learn the wide variety of meats that are available from a pig, as well as how to cook, season and match flavors with all the different parts.

Your Own Creperie – Intro to Crepes
Making crepes is fun and simple! But what do you do with them when you’re done? All too many times, we just place some jelly on them, roll them up, and call it a day. Crepes can do so much more, and this class will not only teach you how to make crepes – but how to use them as well!